Taunton part 1

Some Taunton marks, starting with some earlier ones; the first is an albino straight-line handstamp from 1738.  The straight line handstamp has a tall initial "T".

The next, from 1799, is a "horseshoe" handstamp with a dot between the "T" and "N".

Another straight-line handstamp, this time from 1800 and 1801.

And a final straight-line handstamp from 1821.  It is possible that this is a re-use of an earlier straight-line handstamp that is known used between 1789 and 1792 (unfortunately I don't yet have an example of the handstamp from that earlier period to compare with).

Somerton

Here is an example of the first handstamp for Somerton, a two-line "SOMER / TON" from 1779 (it is known from 1743 to 1782).

And next, here are two mileage marks from Somerton, firstly a "136 SOMER / TON" handstamp from 1787 ...

... and secondly two examples of the "SOMERTON / 135" handstamp from 1828 and 1834.

North and South Petherton

North and South Petherton in Somerset are not adjacent - South Petherton is some 18 miles south-west of North Petherton.

Here are two examples of the "NORTH-PETHERTON" circular undated handstamp, from 1798 and from 1846, being from the first and last years of the handstamp's known use.

Here is an example of the "SOUTH-PETHERTON" circular dated handstamp from 1839.

Minehead unboxed "No.2" and "No.3" receiving house handstamps

Although it is believed that the "No.2" receiving house in the Minehead Penny Post was Porlock, the first two of these examples have been written from "Linton Post Office" in 1835 and Lynmouth in 1837.

This third example has been written at Porlock in 1838.

Receiving House "No.3"  was a Holnicote, serving "Selworthy, Allerford and Luccombe".  This example, from 1839, was written at "Lynch" which is probably what is called East Lynch now.

Minehead

Here are a couple of Minehead handstamps, starting with a two-line handstamp from 1774 (the black rectangular handstamp to the left of the "TAUNTON" mark)

And next a straight-line "MINEHEAD" from 1800.

Langport

Here are two sheets showing the "LANGPORT / 140" mileage handstamp, the first with examples from 1814 and 1815.

The second sheet has a late example from 1846, and also has the Langport "721" numeric obliterator cancel.

Ilchester mileage

Just a couple of different handstamps from Ilchester, both mileage marks.  The first, SO 537, is boxed.  The two examples are from 1803 and 1804.

The second, SO 540, has lines above and below the mileage.  The two examples are from 1821 and 1832.

Ilminster

Here are four different handstamps from Ilminster, starting with two examples of the boxed mileage handstamp from 1816 and 1819.

Next are two examples of the circular "ILMINSTER" with mileage erased, from 1830 and 1832.

Then a nice clear "ILMINSTER" single arc handstamp in red from Christmas Eve 1840.

And finally from 1842 another red "ILMINSTER" single arc handstamp, an Ilminster Maltese Cross, and a boxed "No.3" handstamp - used at Hinton St. George.

Glastonbury

Here is an entire from Glastonbury to Eltham, Kent from 1779, with a two-line "GLASTON / BURY" handstamp and two circular "O'CLOCK" handstamps from the London Government Penny Post.

Next another, but different, two-line "GLASTON / BURY" handstamp from 1798.

... a couple of Glastonbury mileage marks from 1812 and 1814 ...

 ... and a boxed "No.2" receiving house handstamp from Street in the Glastonbury Penny Post.

This unboxed "No.5" receiving house handstamp is thought to be from Butleigh (but could be from Baltonsborough).

Frome

Here is an interesting item - it has a "FROOME" straight line handstamp that is not in the BCC, unless it is the top line of SO 493 "FROOME / 115" that is rarity Z (archives only).  It also bears a London Free mark and an Inspector's mark because (a) it was addressed to an MP (Thos Everett MP) but (b) he had died and been replaced by his son so that the entire was no longer addressed to an MP.

Next a Free Front from Frome in 1838 with an unboxed "No.2" receiving house handstamp.

And finally a postcard from Frome in 1952 with a red diamond census mark.

Dulverton, Dunster & Fishpond[s] (Bristol)

First here are two examples of the "DULVERTON / 187" mileage mark, from 1801 and 1815.

Here is an interesting cover from Dunster in 1827, with a boxed "No.4" receivig house handstamp and a "DUNSTER / 183" handstamp.  Dunster remained in the Taunton Fifth Clause Post until the Taunton Post was reorganised in 1828.  Because it was a 5th Clause Post and not a Penny Post the franked letter was free (it would have been subject to the 1d charge under a Penny Post).

And finally a skeleton handstamp for Fishponds, with the final "S" missing - "FISHPOND / BRISTOL" from the end of 1920.

Cross Penny Post

A few examples of Receiving House handstamps in the Cross Penny Post, starting with the boxed "No.1" from Axbridge from 1831.  This also has straight-line "AXBRIDGE" and framed "Cross / Penny Post" handstamps.

Next a boxed "No.2" from Weston-super-Mare from 1836, with an unframed "Cross / Penny Post" handstamp.

And finally a boxed "No.10" from South Brent from 1841.

Crewkerne from 1784 to 1829

Here are a few handstamps from Crewkerne, starting with an example of the early mileage mark from 1784.

Next is an example of a two-line mark from 1789.

... and then a straight line handstamp from 1799 (only known used in 1799).

And next what appears to be a straight line "CREWKERN" without mileage from December 1822 (not in the BCC), prefixed by a manuscript "Missent to".  It is probably a copy of "CREWKERN / 134", maybe with the "134" removed or masked, but has been used as a missent mark after the introduction of the "CREWKERNE / 135" handstamp.

And finally another straight line handstamp (with the mileage removed) from 1829.

Chard examples from 1781 - 1843

A selection from Chard, starting with a straight line "CHARD" from 1781.  The entire was addressed to Nether Stowey near Taunton, but Nether Stowey came under Bridgwater so the entire received a straight line "TAUNTON" when it had to be resorted into the Bridgwater bag.

Next another straight line "CHARD" from 1796.

Then from 1830 a circular "CHARD" with mileage erased - this is a year later than recorded in the British County Catalogue.

This entire is undated but has the framed "Chard / Py Post" handstamp, known in use 1830-1839, and a boxed "No.1" receiving house handstamp from Thorncombe.

Finally a "CHARD" traveller skeleton from 10th November 1843, used as a receiving mark.

Bristol Selection 1770 - 1830

Four Bristol handstamps starting with a large "B / RIS / TOL" handstamp from 1770.

Then a two-line "BRISTOL / date" handstamp from 1804.  Only the last digit of the year is showing.

Then a circular "BRISTOL / 122" handstamp, with only two digits showing for the year (1825). There is also a "TOO LATE" handstamp to indicate that it was posted too late for the mail.  The entire had been transported from Ireland before being put in the post at Bristol.

And finally an entire from Bristol to London in 1830 with a 25mm "BRISTOL" single arc handstamp.